Honestly, I see where you’re coming from, but accident forgiveness isn’t always just a gimmick. It really depends on your driving record and how your insurer handles claims. Some companies only “forgive” your first at-fault accident, and even then, it doesn’t always stop your rates from creeping up due to other factors. I’ve seen folks save a chunk after a fender bender, but for others, the premium hike still sneaks in through the back door. Specialty insurers for classics almost never offer it, though—those policies are just built different. If you’re a super cautious driver with a clean record, the extra cost might not be worth it... but if you’ve got a lead foot or bad luck, it can pay off.
Had accident forgiveness once—thought it’d be my safety net. Turns out, after a minor parking lot mishap, my rate still crept up the next year. Not a huge jump, but enough to make me wonder if it was worth the extra fee. Maybe it’s just Ohio insurance being quirky?
...after a minor parking lot mishap, my rate still crept up the next year. Not a huge jump, but enough to make me wonder if it was worth the extra fee.
That’s actually pretty common. Accident forgiveness usually protects you from a major spike, but smaller increases can still happen—especially if your insurer adjusts rates for other reasons (like claims in your area or general risk factors). In Ohio, rates can be quirky, but it’s not just here. The extra fee only really pays off if you have a bigger at-fault accident. For minor stuff, sometimes it doesn’t feel worth it.
Honestly, I get why you’re questioning it. Accident forgiveness can feel like paying for peace of mind more than anything else, especially if you’re a careful driver. Have you checked if your insurer offers a “first accident free” discount instead? Sometimes that’s a better deal.
Accident forgiveness can feel like paying for peace of mind more than anything else, especially if you’re a careful driver.
That’s pretty much how I saw it for years. I’ve driven in Ohio for three decades, and honestly, I never bothered with accident forgiveness until my wife had a minor fender-bender last winter. Rates shot up, and suddenly I was wishing I’d paid that extra bit. The “first accident free” discount is nice, but it doesn’t always shield you from the premium hike after a claim. For folks who drive a lot or have multiple drivers on the policy, that peace of mind can be worth the cost, even if it feels a bit like insurance on your insurance.